Sam Burgess under investigation by police and rugby league authorities amid claims made against him in relation to domestic violence and drug usage… while new allegations emerge of him threatening a rival player with the intention of assaulting him
- A report in The Australian made serious allegations against Sam Burgess
- The former England rugby star was accused of taking recreational drugs
- Burgess was also accused of domestic violence in the newspaper on Thursday
- The former England rugby international has strongly denied both claims
- There have been further allegations about threatening a rival player
Sam Burgess is under investigation by police and rugby league authorities in Australia, with his career in limbo amid new claims against him.
The Yorkshireman who crossed codes to play for Bath and England, from 2014 to 2015, has stood down from his job as assistant coach at South Sydney Rabbitohs — the club who he led to an NRL title six years ago.
He has also temporarily withdrawn from his role as a TV pundit for Fox Sports, as a storm rages around him.
Police and Australian rugby authorities are investigating claims made against Sam Burgess
Burgess was the subject of explosive allegations about domestic violence and prolific drug use in The Australian newspaper on Thursday, claims he has strongly denied.
In the aftermath of the initial revelations which have sent shockwaves around the rugby world, there were more damaging accusations on Friday about the 31-year-old allegedly threatening a rival player and waiting outside his house with the intention of assaulting him.
The claims were linked to a ‘sexting’ scandal which engulfed Burgess in 2018.
Burgess was the subject of allegations over domestic violence and drug use on Thursday
The reports included an allegation he had attacked his ex-wide Phoebe when she was pregnant
There was a hasty attempt by his embattled club and Australian league authorities to respond to the initial report, which included an allegation that Burgess had attacked his ex-wife Phoebe when she was heavily pregnant.
South Sydney held a three-hour board meeting and issued a statement which read: ‘The allegations in today’s The Australian are very concerning and the club is treating them with the utmost seriousness. If anyone is found guilty of allegations of this nature, the club will take the strongest possible action.
‘The club is supportive of Sam Burgess’s decision to step down from his role at the club while the NRL Integrity Unit investigation is under way.’
The ex-England rugby international has strongly refused the allegations made on Thursday